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History Question Samples
VIVA would like File Uploads to be a question type available for their users.

Example 1 - Individual assignment and upload

**Overview** The goal of this Workshop is to introduce you to close reading analysis of primary source texts and developing thesis statements for historical arguments or interpretations. Close reading is a method of analysis scholars (historians, literary scholars, philosophers, etc.) use to extract meaning from textual sources by examining in great detail the language used in the text, the intention behind its creation, and how readers may have perceived the text. Most history books and articles use this form of analysis in some way to inform their claims and interpretations of the past, often because many historians rely on textual sources (literature, newspaper articles, diaries, letters, etc.) for their research. Close reading is one way that historians can make the most out of scarce sources: if not much survives from a particular writer (e.g., Sappho of Lesbos) or group of people (e.g., farmers), close reading provides as much detail and analysis as possible to understand what is there. Close reading is done with an end goal of presenting an historical argument or interpretation. One key part of any historical argument or interpretation is a clear and strong thesis statement. A thesis for a close reading in history is an assertion or interpretive claim about how the meaning and function of the primary source shapes our understanding of a historical moment. Good thesis statements come after careful analysis of primary sources — you want your research and analysis to guide the argument you make.

Prep:
Read the assigned readings for Module 5.
Read “Close Reading,” in Introduction to Text Analysis: A Coursebook by Brandon Walsh and Sarah Horowitz. Pay close attention to the examples given to help clarify your understanding of what is involved in close reading.
Read UIowa, “Writing a Thesis and Making an Argument.” for tips on how to write clear and effective thesis statements.

Action Items:
Pick one philosophical text to analyze:
Niccolo Machiavelli, "The Prince," 1513-16. (Chapters 1-10 — available as PDF and audio).
Zara Yacob, "Hatäta," 1667. (All chapters — PDF is a scan of a book).
Anne Conway, "The Principles of the Most Ancient and Modern Philosophy," 1692. (Chapters 1-3 only — available as PDF and audio).
Damaris Masham, "Occasional Thoughts Regarding a Virtuous or Christian Life," 1705. (Pages 1-16 only, stop before the section sub-header THE IRRATIONALITY OF DISOBEYING GOD)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract, 1762. (Book 1 only — available as PDF and audio).
John Stuart Mill, "Liberty," 1859. (Introduction and choose 1 of the examples in Chapter 5 — available as PDF and audio).
Read your selection carefully and answer the questions below about the philosophical text you chose. Include evidence from the text (aka, quotations of specific words and phrases) for each answer, and explain your analysis of the quotation and how it supports your answer. Use this Module’s assigned readings to inform your answers.

Assignment Specs:
Answer the following questions about the philosopher and text you chose:
What do you know about the author? How might his or her beliefs and background have affected the writing of and views expressed in this document? You may use Wikipedia or another background source of your choosing to inform your answer, but do cite it.
What is the topic and purpose of this text?
What is the main point or argument that the text is making? Include direct quotes to support your answer.
With which schools of thought does this philosopher and text most closely align?
How do the ideas expressed in this text align or challenge other religious and philosophical ideas presented in the class so far? Include direct references to course materials and Reading Posts.
Write a Thesis Statement: Based on your answers to the questions above and the Module’s assigned readings, write a solid thesis statement about the primary source text and include it at the end of the write-up.

Example 2 - Collaboarative Assignment that can be completed individually, in pairs or small groups. Only 1 file should be received per person, pair, or group

**Overview** Pop culture has a significant influence on how we understand and learn history. Sam Wineburg, an educational psychologist and scholar of teaching and learning, has conducted a lot of research in this area: Wineburg demonstrates that students come into classes with their own beliefs about the world shaped by personal experiences, family stories, and popular culture. Since we understand history in part through the lenses of pop culture, intentionally and unintentionally, this annotation assignment is an opportunity to reconsider something in pop culture using the wider and more complex range of evidence, perspectives, and ways of thinking you’ve accumulated in the class so far.

Instructions
Pick a pop culture source from the posted list. If you have an idea for something you want to analyze that is not on this list, email me right away to run it by me before you start working on it.
You have the option to do this annotation individually, in pairs, or in your regular annotation groups. Discuss your preferences with your group so no one is left out of the loop.
Analyze your pop culture source and complete the write-up by Friday, 11pm. Upload your write up (do not include the instructions or overview sections).

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SOW: Upload Question Type

Description

Summary

Tasks

Contributor guide

First steps

Research direction

Assessment

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